Friday, December 27, 2013

Each year I look back at all of the albums I purchased and fell in love with. I go down the difficult road of narrowing that list (over and over again) to create this BEST OF...so without any further adieu, here's my TOP 10 albums of 2013 (in no particular order):

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

To positively move forward, we must create new normals. We must
shift our ways of thinking, seeing, and doing. We must embrace the
world around us and become part of its story. We must tell new stories.

How?

First, expect beauty.
Move from a place where beauty is only captured in art museums, ocean
side vacations, or photoshopped models. Instead, start noticing color,
texture, depth, creation, conversation, uniqueness, and love. When we
do that, everything begins to change. We can expect to be surrounded by
fragments of beauty each and every day.

Second, revel in it.
When we see beauty, capture it, breathe it, draw it, etc. We must do
whatever we can to experience the beauty we've found ourselves in.

Third, make it our story.
The story of beauty needs telling, and retelling, and retelling again.
Because in the story of beauty, is a story of creation, creativity,
humanity, and love. When we experience beauty, we must be confident in
the promise that, "It is good." And in the goodness of this new found
beauty, may we make it our own stories to tell.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

It's
100% true. The molecular properties of the foods you consume are
brought into your body, alter your own physical and psychological
makeup, and produce everything from growth to moods, disease to
genetics.

Now consider this phrase: "you are what you art."

Art
has always been something that compels, confronts, confuses, and
creates new worlds. Cultures change because of art; politics are
overturned, and the world is changed forever.

The
artist has an incredible role within humanity. The truest artist has
always been on the forefront of creating culture - not simply reacting
to it.

Which brings me again, to the new phrase, you are what you art.

Biologist James Zull writes, "Neuroscience
tells us that the products of the mind--thought, emotions, artistic
creation--are the result of the interactions of the biological brain
with our senses and the physical world: in short, that thinking and
learning are the products of a biological process…This realization, that
learning actually alters the brain by changing the number and strength
of synapses, offers a powerful foundation for rethinking everything."

Art changes the mind, which changes the biology in one's brain and the physical world.

Consider
the following artist…the chef who refuses to use genetically modified
plants and animals to create a dish that is sustaining the biology of
the consumer, as much as he/she is sustaining the environment.

The
culinary artist is transforming how we think about food, how we consume
it, and even our most basic genetic and biological synapses.

Now
consider the poet or songwriter…he/she writes to provoke and change a
once held truth. Over time these ideas and hopes become reality.
There's an incredible amount of power in the words, chords, melodies,
and textures that the artist is creating; so much so, that our
biological synapses are modified and we become a different person (in
thought, reaction, and as society).

Are you creating beauty and tension and words and worlds that is worthy of biological change?

Consider your art in these terms.
Consider the power of what you create.
Because you truly are what you art.

Monday, October 7, 2013

My grandma (Mimi) passed away on September 26th. On the 25th the family stood around praying and laughing and loving. As I left that night, I had a song inside that I needed to write. I wrote it over the weekend and we played it at her funeral last Tuesday. It was the hardest song I've ever recorded. I'd get a line in and would break down in tears. But I finally got through it - though you can still hear my voice is on the verge throughout.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

It's August 1st, so what am I doing? Recording a Christmas album of course! I'm excited for how these tunes are turning out. Let's just say there's lots of strings, mandolin, floor tom, and harmonies...

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Last year on tour with Sleeping at Last and Jars of Clay, I was impressed with the kick drum sounds Dan Haseltine (lead singer of JOC) was getting from a small pedal at his feet. After some conversations and research, I found a new toy in the arsenal that sounds HUGE and AMAZING!

Footbass...its a small metal box (which I covered with a felt top to muddle the sound a bit), that uses a 1/4 inch cable output to create a perfect kick drum sound.

As a solo artist, I was looking for ways to make my live show bigger, and this has been a great tool!

I run my footbass into a DI box and ask the sound tech to mix it just how he would a punchy kick drum. I cannot tell you how many times other musicians come up after shows, asking me how I created such huge kick drum sounds..."am I using a trigger?," "is it a midi pedal?," "am I playing to a track?" The answer is "footbass."

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

The Civil Wars might just be my favorite duet. And with duets comes tension! In this interview, Joy and John discuss the tension that has engulfed their relationship, and how it is translated through song. Enjoy!

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Happy 4th! And since you've got the day off, why not sit back and watch a great concert?!?
If you're unfamiliar with Alt-J, take this opportunity to familiariaze yourself with them and their music...it's good stuff!

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

If you read yesterday's post, you found out about the recent string recordings I did with Sleeping at Last. If you're an artist that's interested in adding strings to your songs, please feel free to contact me anytime!

I write original arrangements.

I perform your own string arrangements.

I can build parts as small (solo) or large (orchestra) as you want.

My studio is professional.

My cost is competitive.

My turn-around time is quick and easy.

I've worked with lots and lots of artists/bands over the past 10 years, and would LOVE TO WORK WITH YOU...

Please contact me: ross@rosschristopher.com if you have any questions or would be interested having me work on an upcoming project!

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Over the past month I've had the amazing opportunity of recording strings for 2 brand new Sleeping at Last tunes! Ryan is quite possibly the most humble and genuine artist I've ever worked with. I got to know Ryan this past fall on tour with him and Jars of Clay. It was a blast and I consider it an honor to call him a friend!

Here's the 2 songs I recorded strings on. They are part of his newest EP, ATLAS: LIGHT.

Monday, June 24, 2013

We're back from Italy! Kate and I spent 10 days in Positano, Italy (Almafi Coast), celebrating our 10 year anniversary. It was a wonderful trip, highlighted by amazing food, history, views, boating on the Mediterranean, and more food...

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Yesterday I got called by a concert promoter to open TONIGHT for James McCartney (Paul's son)! I could not be more excited...so if you're in St Louis and looking for something to fill your Tuesday night, come on out to THE DEMO (brand new boutique venue in The Grove)!

Monday, June 3, 2013

While wrapping up an instrumental piece yesterday, I wrote these lines...possibly a chorus or verse? I like the overall concept; that linear-time constantly places things in the past. By the time thoughts and words and experiences and sounds enter the brain, and register as beauty or darkness or joy or loss, they have already passed. The present is miniscule and the future is fast-approaching!

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

The hope of this blog is to continually push ideas and thoughts that connect the dots between art, creativity, beauty, spirituality, and everything in between.

Today is no exception.

You all know the phrase, "you are what you eat."

It's 100% true. The molecular properties of the foods you consume are brought into your body, alter your own physical and psychological makeup, and produce everything from growth to moods, disease to genetics.

Now consider this phrase: "you are what you art."

Art has always been something that compels, confronts, confuses, and creates new worlds. Cultures change because of art; politics are overturned, and the world is changed forever.

The artist has an incredible role within humanity. The true artist has always been on the forefront of creating culture - not simply reacting to it.

Which brings me again, to the new phrase, you are what you art.

Biologist James Zull writes, "Neuroscience tells us that the products of the mind--thought, emotions, artistic creation--are the result of the interactions of the biological brain with our senses and the physical world: in short, that thinking and learning are the products of a biological process…This realization, that learning actually alters the brain by changing the number and strength of synapses, offers a powerful foundation for rethinking everything."

Art changes the mind, which changes the biology in one's brain and the physical world.

Consider the following artist…the chef who refuses to use genetically modified plants and animals to create a dish that is sustaining the biology of the consumer, as much as he/she is sustaining the environment.

The culinary artist is transforming how we think about food, how we consume it, and even our most basic genetic and biological synapses.

Now consider the poet or songwriter…he/she writes to provoke and change a once held truth. Over time these ideas and hopes become reality. There's an incredible amount of power in the words, chords, melodies, and textures that the artist is creating; so much so, that our biological synapses are modified and we become a different person (in thought, reaction, and as society).

Are you creating beauty and tension and words and worlds in the listener/consumer that is worthy of biological change?

Consider your art in these terms.
Consider the power of what you create.
Because you truly are what you art.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

I had a conversation yesterday with an artist I just finished producing in the studio. We were talking about the pursuit of creativity and art, and the difficulty of remaining pure to that art in a culture that demands the monetizing of everything.

Being an artist, I suppose, throws you into two basic categories. Artists that make money, and artists that don't. Notice that I don't call the later hobbyists. Understand of course, that most people would, and do, make that distinction. However, lots of so called "artists" I know do the same "art" over and over, with predictability, because it turns a profit, pays the bills, etc. This (in my opinion) is a money-making craft.

Art is different.

Art is something that's inside you that needs to come out. Art changes and pushes boundaries. Art is loved. Art is hated. Art is understood. And art is misunderstood.

Our culture has placed an unhealthy barometer on art and creativity, that basically says, "if you can't eventually attain the American dream, move to the burbs with your family, own the boat, take the vacation, etc, then it's time to hang up your college fantasy, and get a real (paying) job."I couldn't disagree more.

Sometimes I think the problem isn't the art, but perhaps the scope which the artists dreams, and sees his or her art flourishing. We live in a culture that demands diversity and excellence. How can you (as an artist) see things this way, make necessary steps to diversify your art/talent/skill/creativity in such a way that you don't succumb to the lie that "it's time for the paying gig?"

Perhaps you're defining things improperly.

Perhaps your scope is that artistry is only attained once you've been given the national or international spotlight. Let me tell you that without a massive machine behind what you're doing, this may never happen. However, when you localize your tribe (or tribes) and create a genuine community with them (through and with your art), you will be a success.

This success may not equal Justin Timberlake status, but your influence may be just as powerful within your particular tribe.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

I love this quote.
I love it because too often we pit light as the opposite of darkness.
But just like the quote shows us, darkness cannot coexist with light.
Darkness is the absence of light, and the world is glowing with light!

Sometimes it can be difficult to see.
Suffering does occur.
Death happens.
Sickness and tragedy cripples.
But light still exists, and squashes darkness in its tracks.

As an artist, sometimes I feel like its my job to point people towards light.
As an artist I can use creativity (images, words, sounds, etc.) to expose what's (already) around us, and can send darkness running to the shadows.

Monday, March 25, 2013

I grew up in Boy Scouts. I earned Eagle, so I guess I'm an Eagle Scout for life. Having said that, I'm prepared. It is the scout motto after all...

As a creative, being prepared is one of the most important lessons I've learned through the years. I cannot tell you how many times I find random pieces of paper, napkins, business cards, etc lying around with bits and pieces of song ideas scribbled on them.

My iPhone has become invaluable! I have tones of voice memos with melody or riff ideas, recorded. Some songs are process. But in my experience, those are the ones that sound like process - and who likes process?

If not for being prepared and having the tools I need in hand, who knows how much creativity might be lost and forgotten?

Saturday, March 23, 2013

As a songwriter, lyrics and music hit me at all sorts of random times. Though 80% of the time I write in a similar fashion, I don't have (or prescribe to) "a system." Having said that, I was finishing up a new single that I've been working on for about a month, called 'Lonely Earth.'

As I was working on a mixdown, I all of a sudden got this lyric and melody in my head. Immediately I had to open up a new project and record what was going on in my head. In about 10 minutes I had recorded the acoustic guitar part and the lead vocal scratch track.

I played the song for Kate the next morning and I'd be lying if I didn't say that I can't get it out of my head. Some things you work on for weeks, and some things just write themselves. I'm consistently surprised by, and with, the creative process! I'm excited to share more of this process with you in the coming days.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Earlier tonight I tuned into a live speaking engagement from Rob Bell, discussing his newest book, What We Talk About When We Talk About God. It's brilliant and refreshing and much needed in a faithless landscape, filled with boxes and black and white thought - both inside and outside of anything resembling "church."

Friday, March 8, 2013

We are a people hungry for questions and listening, and people who will simply sit down across from us and have a conversation - especially at our most vulnerable times.

A couple days ago I was at my favorite local cafe doing some writing. A woman came in and sat down at the table next to mine. She was carrying an odd shaped box - obviously containing something very special.

A few minutes later a young man came in, looking somewhat hopeless and in need. The two of them spoke and obviously were there to meet each other. Was I about to eavesdrop onto a blind date? Not so much.

Within seconds the mysterious box was opened and the woman placed a handful of mystical tarot cards on the table. The man's hopelessness did a 180. You could see the eagerness for answers in his eyes.

She poked and prodded in the most open-ended ways, that anyone might have been able to come to an equal amount of vague, future-conclusions this fortune teller conjured.

The whole meeting probably didn't last more than 20 minutes, but I saw a once fearful and lost man, leave with certainty and hope.

Now I don't believe that anything this fortune teller said or read, had any actual bearing on this man's future. But what I do believe is that this man was at rock bottom and needed someone's ear. He had her's (at a decent price tag), and in this act of human interaction, he once again was filled with hope of a future.

Perhaps the truth behind this fortune teller's ability, is her capacity to listen and offer hope (even if she's making a decent profit). After all it wasn't that long ago that "professional mourner" was an actual thing...

Maybe this world needs more people that will journey with us in hope. Maybe the woman sitting beside me needs the same, but isn't to the point of conjuring the dead. Maybe in this age of technology, individualism, and cynicism, all we really need is each other. We've been given the capacity to love and listen, and extend grace and compassion with limitless restrictions.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Just wanted to let you know I haven't fallen off the face of the earth...I know, I know, its been WAY TOO LONG since I've posted! And for that I apologize.

I've been crazy busy in the studio, playing a couple shows, and writing. Thank you all so very much for picking up the newest EP, VEIL and for coming out to the Kishi Bashi show a couple weeks back! I'm continually impressed with your support!!

So what am I writing?...an apocalyptic love song. That's right, I thought it'd be a fun take on a love song, and I'm really excited how its turning out! I hope to have the new single available to you in a month or so.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Peter Rollins delves into a poignant conversation that is vital to our being, and vital for the Church. I hope and pray that I can become more and more like the singer/songwriter that he talks about. I hope that we all can...

Monday, February 4, 2013

Last night I sat down on my couch, in front of my TV, and devoured a week's worth of calories (thanks to the good folks at Rotel, Velveeta, and Oreo), while watching the Super Bowl. Like many, I'm as excited to see the new and creative commercials, as I am to watch the game. And this year I noticed something over and over again...

This year there seemed to be an abundance of user-generated content. Everything from pictures to video to narration, the users seemed to be in the diver's seat. And I believe this says something about our culture and younger generations. We want (scratch that)...we NEED to be part of something bigger than ourselves. And what's bigger than the Super Bowl? We want to engage and interact, and tell our story, and be part of a grander story, and really make a difference in this world.

So what's my take away?

In your respective communities, focus on the ways you can become increasingly user-generated! Top-down leadership structures are fading, and communities of passionate individuals are oozing with potential.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Consistency matters.
It matters because without it, what you say (and do) means nothing.
If you say one thing, and do another, you're a hypocrite.
If you advocate for a policy, and vote against it, you can't be trusted.
And all too often, consistency can't be felt, seen, or heard.

Specific to politics and faith, I find an increasingly inconsistent pattern among right-wing-voting-christians (which is how the majority of christians vote - Republican). This inconsistency is branded across the Church and perception becomes reality - that christians are either ill-informed, can't make a consistent and intelligent argument, or are just plain hypocritical.

On one hand, christians will overwhelmingly support other christians in politics (usually right-wing), so that politics resemble the ways of Jesus, biblical truths, etc. They believe that electing more christians will make our nation christian once again (essentially that christian leaders will enact christian laws).

And most christians will also agree that Jesus came to earth, and lived his life to show grace and mercy to those that didn't deserve it (i.e. sinners, the sick, etc.), and that he came first for the marginalized, the poor, the blind, and "the least of these."

However, when the government enacts policies and social programs that extend similar grace and mercy to the least of these, christians overwhelmingly call them "entitlements" and say that the government has no business in these matters. So either the government is or isn't in the position to act and dispense policy, based on the christian faith. They cannot have it both ways, because consistency matters.

In the same light, liberals (which most overwhelmingly support our President, and democrats) cannot remain consistent in their anti-gun/violence messages, while also remaining silent when the government is using drones attacks at an alarming rate and when our policies place assault rifles into the hands of Mexican drug lords. The liberal message of non-violence has no backbone.

My point is this...there must be a true separation between church and state. This is a good thing. Because when the perceived "christian" candidate on one hand argues for life in repealing abortion rights, yet funds the military and supports capital punishment on the other, there is no consistency. Likewise, when a liberal fights to pass laws that control the sales of arms (to "save even one life"), but systematically places these same weapons into the hands of Mexican drug lords, there is no consistency. In both scenarios, I believe that arguing for life and saving life most closely represents the way of Jesus. And in both scenarios the politics of the state become the voice of the church - either in support or criticism. By separating faith and politics, the United States is not the mouthpiece of Christianity; and when it behaves in less than Christ-like manners, one is not co-opted by the other, and consistency is not in question.

Because no matter which side you find yourself, consistency is lacking - and when left unchecked, both sides become impotent to truth-telling and agenda. Consistency matters because without we nullify any resemblance of intellectual honesty and debate. And without consistency, we all become hypocrites.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

**I'm
RE-POSTING this today, because I believe it needs to be said. In light
of demonizing politics and demonizing prayers (gun control, the
election, the fiscal cliff, and yesterday's inauguration), its timely -
for ME and for you. I first need to admit that I did not come up with
this thought.

You can love God only as much as you love ______________.

(fill
in the blank w/ terrorists, antagonists to your faith, your boss,
George W. Bush, President Obama, Pat Robertson, or Mark Driscoll; whoever you cannot
stand, and wished ill)
*I can thank Katie Schultz for that nugget of inspiration.

Nor can I claim this statement as my own:"I believe in the Trinity, so I believe God exists as a community of
ecstatic love: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God names not merely a
thing but a relation. God is a relational God bound together by love.
Before God is anything else, God is love. It’s not that first God exists
and then God decides to love. It is love which constitutes God’s very
existence. Moreover, God’s love is not self contained, but it extends to
all creation. God’s mission is to love creation. That’s straight up
missional theology...If we want to know God (and if we want to be able to say something
substantive about God), we have to participate in the mission of God.
Without engaging in mission we can possess knowledge about God, but we can never truly know God. To know God is to participate in God’s mission."
*That was written by Tim Suttle, and it sums up a lot of background text.

In Matthew 5 & 25, we read that how we love our enemies and the least of these, is also how we love God.

Consider
that the next time you post a nasty (or backhanded) Twitter or Facebook
comment regarding your disdain for the President (or potential
candidate), political party affiliation, or laws passed. Because how
you love, determines how you love...

Monday, January 21, 2013

Thanks so so very much to ALL that came out on Friday night to the EP release show at Cicero's! It's always humbling to play in front of a sold-out crowd, and you guys did it! It means the world to have your support. If you weren't able to pick up a copy of the new EP on Friday, here's a link to grab it via iTunes: CLICK HERE TO BUY THE EP